'Grateful For All Support': Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Reaffirms Gratitude To US After Heated White House Exchange With Trump

Days after a tense encounter with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a video reaffirming his deep appreciation for American support in Ukraine’s war against Russia, Indian Express reported.

In a message shared on X, Zelenskyy stressed Kyiv’s reliance on its allies, acknowledging, “Of course, we understand the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we’ve received from the United States.”

His remarks came in response to a heated exchange in the Oval Office, where Trump, joined by Vice President JD Vance, criticised him for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude for US aid.

Tensions flared during what was initially intended as a diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening relations between Washington and Kyiv. Vance reportedly urged Ukraine to consider diplomatic talks with Russia—an idea Zelenskyy outrightly rejected.

Trump, in turn, forcefully asserted, “You have to be thankful. You don’t have the cards. You gotta be more thankful.”

As the atmosphere in the meeting soured, a planned joint press conference was abruptly scrapped, and Zelenskyy departed the White House ahead of schedule.

The fallout also saw the shelving of a key minerals agreement between the two nations, a deal intended to bolster Ukraine’s economy and security.

Following the confrontation, Zelenskyy travelled to London for a high-profile security summit, where he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

In his X post, he stressed the need for robust security commitments, declaring, “Everyone is united on the main issue – for peace to be real, we need real security guarantees.”

The global reaction to the White House meeting was swift. Russia was quick to seize upon the apparent friction between Ukraine and its most powerful backer, viewing it as a sign of weakening Western support.

However, world leaders, particularly from Europe, reaffirmed their solidarity with Kyiv.

Meanwhile, within the United States, the incident reignited debate over continued military and financial assistance to Ukraine, with Trump’s camp signalling a more transactional approach to future support.

As the war grinds on, Ukraine remains steadfast in its resistance, acutely aware that its survival hinges on the unwavering backing of its international partners.

“There has not been a day when we haven’t felt gratitude,” Zelenskyy emphasised, making it clear that, for Kyiv, support from allies is vital to its own sovereignty.